Microsoft, Google and other Internet-based companies have been in discussions with human rights groups and have reached an agreement on a code of conduct for Internet activities in China and other countries where Internet usage is closely controlled and monitored.

(Reuters) - U.S.
technology giants Microsoft Corp, Google Inc and Yahoo Inc, in talks
with other Internet companies and human-rights groups, have reached an
agreement on a voluntary code of conduct for activities in China and
other restrictive countries, the Wall Street Journal reported on
Tuesday.

In separate letters sent to Democratic Senator Richard Durbin, and
Republican Senator Tom Coburn, the companies said the code's details
were being worked out, the paper reported.

Senators Durbin and Coburn had asked for an update out of concern
that without such a code, Internet companies could be pressured by
China's government to provide information about Internet users who are
in China for the Olympics, the paper said.

Google, Yahoo and Microsoft did not immediately return calls seeking
comment. The voluntary code will spell out "principles of freedom of
expression and privacy" in countries where governments seek users'
private information or block access to certain websites, the paper
said, citing the letters.